Weekly News Roundup - Feb. 10, 2010

For At-Risk Students, Alternatives Needed (Star Tribune, Minnesota)
A state legislative auditor's study released this week found that academic-focused afterschool programs and extended learning opportunitites in Minnesota have shown improvement in students' math and reading test scores. Even cash-strapped school districts should increase funding for these programs, the editorial board argues.

Gaithersburg Program Offers After-School Help to Students and Their Parents (Washington Post, Washington D.C.)
A bilingual, family-centered afterschool program in Gaithersburg, Maryland, has become a valued community resource. "This started as a way of developing relationships, and it turned into this much bigger thing."

Closures of Centers Worry Phoenix Residents (Arizona Republic, Arizona)
As budget cuts threaten to close recreation centers and afterschool programs in Phoenix, residents worry about the impact on the community.

Teaming Up For Students: Programs Keep Kids Busy After School (Reno Gazette-Journal, Nevada)
The afterschool program at Alice Maxwell Elementary School keeps kids busy with a variety of activities, including yoga, crocheting lessons, and a canned food drive for the Food Bank of Northern Nevada.

Molly Tomlinson is Media Assistant at the Afterschool Alliance. Bio.